Five Things You Should Know: Biblical Websites

The web is filled with some great resources to use in your Christian walk.  Many have made various translations and helps available.  With that said, here are my five biblical websites you should know:

1. The ESV Study Bible - The online version of the ESV Study Bible.  A great resource.  Very thorough.  Also has options for you to add your own notes.  Full access to this site involves purchasing the ESV Study Bible.
2. The NLT Study Bible - The online version of the NLT Study Bible.  Another great resource.  Like the ESV model, it too has options to create your own notes.  Interestingly enough, you can also post your notes and read the notes of others.  Also like the ESV, full access to this site involves purchasing the NLT Study Bible.
3. Biblos.com - It has about everything you would need to study your Bible.  English versions, language helps, dictionaries, commentaries, and much more.  A great site.
4. Bible.org - Home of the NET Bible.  A tremendous resource for textual footnotes and language helps.
5. Bible Gateway (biblegateway.com), Bible.com, Blue Letter Bible (blueletterbible.org) – All of these (and I’m sure they’re several others) contain a variety of texts, commentaries, and other helps.  I prefer Bible Gateway if I’m just comparing texts.  Each one has its own unique features.  All our worth checking out.

One other site needs to be mentioned (although I have not personally had the opportunity to use it).  It is greekbiblestudy.org.  The site allows you to pull up several English translations and compare them with the Greek.  I have software that does this, so I have not spent much time on this site.  You do have to create an account in order to access it.

My Journey with the HCSB

The last of my series chronicling my Bible translation journey of the past year brings me to the Holman Christian Standard Bible.  The funny thing about the HCSB is that it is the one Bible I never figured would be in this equation.  I have been familiar with the HCSB for years, but I have avoided using it because I have been fearful that it would be the “Southern Baptist” Bible.  Overtime, I became more open to the HCSB, and recently began preaching and teaching from it.  While I have not firmly settled on it as a primary teaching translation, it’s interesting to me that many in my church have been asking what it is, and have subsequently purchased one.

The HCSB has a lot to offer as a translation.  It is more readable than the NASB and the ESV, while still being very faithful to the original languages.  I like the way it handles words like “propitiation” and “slave,” as well as other important terms.  It offers a fresh approach by frequently using “Yahweh” rather than “Lord,” and ”Messiah” rather than the “Christ” (It is important to point out that these terms are never inappropriately used.  For instance, “Messiah” appears when “Christ” is definitely used as a title referencing Jesus as the “Anointed One.”).  I have been surprised by how much the HCSB has grown on me.  I highly recommend it.

The strengths of the HCSB are as follows:

1. It does a great job finding a balance between being literal and readable.
2. It handles some key concepts well.
3. It is heavily footnoted for those that like to explore alternative word meanings.
4. It is a “new” translation, not a revision of an earlier one.  Most of the more prominent English translations on the market today are revisions of earlier works.

The HCSB does have its issues.  It can be difficult to find anywhere other than in a LifeWay store.  As of now, it has virtually no presence in the study Bible market (although the Apologetics Study Bible is a good resource).  Some of its formatting is awkward (brackets, bullets, and such – although the brackets are being eliminated in current revisions).  Also, some familiar words and terms have been replaced in a way that might raise an eyebrow (“beer” for “strong drink,” “languages” instead of “tongues,” just to name a few). 

LifeWay has pledged to do a better job marketing the translation, and I hope they are successful in that endeavor.  It must break out of its current circles if it is going have any kind of real impact.  Furthermore, the translation is currently being revised, and hopefully some of its minor issues will be resolved.  For now, the HCSB sits atop my list of favorites.

This is the last in a series of posts chronicling my experiences with various Bible translations over the last year (it joins my posts on the ESV, NASB, and NLT).  These are not exhaustive research articles (you can find these other places online), but rather an unfolding of my journey through these translations.  These posts grow from a list I put together in a previous post.  You can read it here.

My Journey with the NLT

The third in my series of posts regarding Bible translations bring us to the New Living Translation.  While I have always used an assortment of Bible translation for my own edification and study, I only began using the NLT after the second edition was released.  I was re-acquainted with it through the One Year Bible, and I was pleasantly surprised with what I found.  I then bought the NLT Study Bible (which is very good by the way), and really enjoyed using it. 

I began exploring the NLT as a teaching Bible while I was preparing a series of studies on the book of Exodus.  I thought it would bring new life to some familiar passages, and make some more challenging ones (particular regarding the building of the tabernacle) a little easier on the ears.  Our church used it during our Christmas Eve service, and I frequently reference it during sermons and lessons.  I read from it devotionally every day, and really enjoy the way it renders the text.  It does a good job handling much of the language associated with theological concepts (some terms it handles better than others).   It’s not perfect, but it has really grown on me over the last year.  I recommend the NLT frequently.  It is great for new believers, and great for seasoned saints who want something a little different from their more formal translations.  It’s strengths are as follows:

1. It is probably the most readable translation.
2. It is a very vivid translation that usually captures the intent of Biblical writers.  A more literal translation (like the NASB) usually captures what the original languages say.  The NLT typically does a great job capturing what they mean.
3. It is a very accessible translation.  The NLT fills the shelves of bookstores and retail stores alike.  Where I live, it is one of the easiest translations to find (trailing only the NIV and the KJV).
4. It is available in some great study editions.  The NLT Study Bible is great (the online version is awesome too).  It has some newer releases (like the Transformation Study Bible and Mosaic) that look great.

As with any translation, the NLT has some weaknesses.  I’m not always comfortable with what I would call the “looseness” of the translation.  In a translation of this type, there is always a lot of commentary in the translation (but to be fair, there is always a certain amount of commentary in the translation).  I would encourage people who use a NLT to have a more formal translation with which to compare, but overall, the NLT is a Bible worth checking out.

This is the third in a series of posts chronicling my experiences with various Bible translations over the last year (it joins my posts on the ESV and NASB).  These are not exhaustive research articles (you can find these other places online), but rather an unfolding of my journey through these translations.  These posts grow from a list I put together in a previous post.  You can read it here.

My Journey with the NASB

In this discussion of my experiences with Bible translations during the past year, I now turn to the New American Standard.  Let me begin with a few disclaimers.  For one, I have used this translation longer than any of the others.  I have said repeatedly that it is not only my favorite translation, but also the most literal, and the one I most frequently recommend.  With that said, some may ask then why make a change? 

The reason is two-fold.  For one, I found myself increasingly hesitant to recommend the NASB to new believers.  Secondly, the language can be challenging in places, and it can be a tough read.  One more than one occasion I found myself even struggling to communicate clearly while reading and teaching the text.  For years, I simply accepted that as part of my job as the teacher.  But, as I began to dialogue with people about the version I was using, people who had been in church for years had little problem with it.  On the other hand, newer people seemed to wrestle with it a bit more.  I thought that maybe it would help my teaching to use an easier to read translation.

Again, I love the NASB.  I love almost everything about it.  I love how the sentence structure really follows the Greek.  I love how it leaves many of the interpretative decisions to the reader (as much as any translation really can leave those decisions to the reader).  I think it handles important theological terms correctly.  I read from it every day, and always use it in the course of my preparation.  I still wrestle with returning to it as a primary teaching version some day (and do still teach occasionally from it).  Any serious student of Scripture needs a New American Standard.

Its strengths are as follow:

1. It’s literal.  At times, it may be too literal (if that’s possible), but one rarely has to walk away wondering what editorial decisions a translator made.
2. It is highly respected.  Most Bible scholars speak highly of the NASB.  They may be critical of it in places (as they are any translation), but almost all of the critiques I’ve read are positive.
3. It has a formal sound to it.  It reads like a Bible.  Those who have been exposed to church will find it familiar.
4. It is available.  This hasn’t always been the case.  Even now, it is not as prominent as some other translations, but one can find a nice selection of styles and study Bibles available in the NASB (NASB Study Bible, MacArthur Study Bible, and Ryrie to name a few).

The NASB does have some weakness.  It can be incredibly awkward and stiff at times.  It reads at an eleventh or twelfth grade level (which makes it one of the tougher translations to read).  Also, the Lockman Foundation (the copyright owner) could do a much better job with its website.  Nonetheless, if you want a solid word for word translation, I don’t think you can do any better than a NASB.  If you don’t have one, do pick one up.  I don’t think you’ll regret it.

This is the second in a series of posts chronicling my experiences with various Bible translations over the last year.  These are not exhaustive research articles (you can find these other places online), but rather an unfolding of my journey through these translations.

My Journey with the ESV

Earlier this week, I posted a list of my “top five” Bible translations (actually, I’ve posted three such lists over the course of the last year).  I thought I would take some time and post some follow-up articles on a few of the translations on my list.  These are not exhaustive research articles (you can find these other places online), but rather an unfolding of my journey through these translations.  The first one I want to look at is the English Standard Version. 

I came across the ESV somewhat by accident.  I had seen it in book stores and usually ignored it.  It caught my attention when I began to read the opinions of people that used it (and it’s not the ones you might think).  I subsequently purchased an ESV Study Bible (which by the way is a great study Bible), and began reading from it.  I decided that I would preach and teach from the translation for a while.  Initially, I really thought it would be the one to replace my New American Standard.  The more I preached from it, however, the more I began to have reservations.

Now, let me be clear.  The ESV is a good translation.  I still read from it, and occasionally teach from it.  I still like the formal tone it has.  It is awkward in some places, and I wish it would have handled the word doulos differently (slave or servant depending on your translation, my thoughts on this are here)*, but it is a solid, formal translation.  To be honest, it isn’t that much easier for me to read than the New American Standard.  I’m not down on the ESV, but I just found that I preferred some others better.  For me, it may simply have been a case of the ESV not being able to match the hype surrounding it.  Again, it’s a great translation, and I highly recommend it.  I just like some others better.

Here are the ESV’s strengths:

1. It is a formal, literal translation.  It sounds like a Bible.  If you are used to the King James, or something similar to it, you will find the ESV familar.
2. It is somewhat easier to read than some more formal translations (like the KJV, NASB, etc.).  Again, my experience questions this a little, but many find this to be the case.  As a matter of fact, the chart in my local book stores list’s it as easier to read than the NIV and the HCSB.
3. It is highly recommended.
4. It has a great online presence.  The ESV website is probably one of the best.  The online ESV Study Bible is a tremendous resource.
5. And, like I said, the ESV Study Bible is an incredible resource.

To me, its biggest weakness is simply than it has several awkward sentences.  Nonetheless, I would highly recommend this translation.

 

*in the weeks ahead, I plan to explore some of these specific word issues on my other site – www.rekindledliving.wordpress.com.

Five Things You Should Know: My Top Five Bible Translations, 3.0

I have been experimenting with various Bible translations since the first of the year.  I have chronicled much of that journey here over the last several months.  As  matter of fact, I have put together two of these lists already this calendar year.  Yet, I feel it is time for another update.  If you have read the previous posts, you will probably notice that there has been some significant shifting among the versions listed.  And, as always, it never hurts to check back because it seems like this list is always in flux.

1. Holman Christian Standard Bible- I have decided to preach from the translation for the time being.  While I first had my doubts about it, I have really come to appreciate the balance between readability and literalness.  It can be a little tough to find (especailly if you don’t live near a LifeWay store), and it by no means is perfect, but it is a translation that I would highly recommend.
2. New Living Translation- I read this Bible devotionally every day.  I almost never prepare without consulting how it handles a passage.  It is a very vivid rendering of God’s Word.  The more I read it, the more I like it.  While I’m not sure I would preach from it exclusively, I often quote it in the course of my lessons.  I would highly recommend this translation, especially to someone who is a new believer or to someone who is trying to find something different from their more formal translation.
3. New American Standard- I still love this translation the most.  I always use it in my preparation.  It is the most literal translation available, and one that I always recommend to someone wanting to seriously study the Bible.  Yet, it can be difficult to read and awkward to quote.  This is usually no problem for folks use to King James and the like, but so many anymore just are not familiar with that language.  Thus, it drops a little in my list.  Actually, to be honest, it didn’t drop as much as the two versions ahead of it simply grew on me.
4. English Standard Version  - I really tried to give this a go.  At first, I really liked what I saw.  I preached from it for several months, trying to make it work for me.  And, while I still read from it regularly and will occasionally teach from it, I simply don’t like it as much as some of the others.  It just has too many awkward phrases for my liking, especially considering that it seemed to be trying to get away from them.  Like I said, I do teach from it from time to time, and I may revisit in the future, but for now this is where it is.  I do recommend it often, especially to people who do not want a huge departure from their formal sounding translation.
5. New International Version  - To be honest, I rarely read or consult the NIV any more.  I still recommend it, if for no other reason that it is so easily accessible (although the NLT seems to be in about as many places).

My goal is to be able to flesh out some articles in the near future on each of the these (well, at least the top four) at this site, as well as my other blogsite.

Sunday’s Message and the HCSB

I’ve shared before that I’m experimenting with changing my primary preaching/teaching version of the Bible.  In the ones that I’ve seriously considered, I find strengths and weaknesses.  I’m still trying to sort it all out, but I ran into this verse in preparing for Sunday’s message – “Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!” (Psalm 119:5, NASB). Compare that with some other samplings:

“Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!” (ESV)

“Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” (NIV)

“If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!” (HCSB)

“Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!” (NLT).

As I entered this series, I really wanted to have this issue settled in my heart (maybe it says more about me than it does the actual translations that I haven’t pulled the trigger on one yet).  Nonetheless, I’m still sorting in all out. In regard for Sunday, I opted for the HCSB for my message on Psalm 119:1-8, primarily based on their handling of this verse (although I did quote the passage from the NLT in my closing).  I liked its accuracy and clarity.  I could almost pull the trigger on the HCSB except for my hangups about it not being marketed well beyond the SBC.  In my community, it’s virtually impossible to find on the shelves of our Christian bookstore.  We’ll see what the future holds.

That Which We Cannot Afford to Leave Behind

Church leadership resources are everywhere.  There are conferences, seminars, books, dvds, and on-line instruction galore.  Everywhere we turn, we find someone else’s insight on how we should get things done.  We face a real abundance of information.  With all of this at our disposal, it’s unfortunate that we see a tragedy taking shape.  In recent times, we have seen churches and denominations alike make decisions to depart from the things we cannot afford to leave behind. 

Paul reminds us of the importance of staying grounded in Christ and the Scripture.  He writes,

“our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.  Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them.  Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young.  Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.  Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them” (1 Timothy 4:10-13, NLT, emphasis added). 

In another letter, Paul would encourage Timothy to stay faithful to the teaching of the Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-17).  He would later add, “Preach the word of God.  Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not.  Patiently correct rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2, NLT).

These words echo what Paul wrote to the Elders in Ephesus.  The book of Acts contains his words.  It says,

“Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.  I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.  Even some men from your own group will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following” (Acts 20:28-30, NLT). 

Paul challenges the leaders of the church to stay in sound doctrine and be aware that there may be false teachers arise out from them.

In our world today, we are surrounded by those who seem to abandon every central tenant of Christian faith, yet still profess to Christian.  What’s even more tragic is that many of these are leading others to follow them into this abyss of falsehood.  Now, don’t misunderstand me.  I’m not trying to create some legalistic concept of following God.  I’m not trying those secondary issues that are matters of personal conscience and conviction.  I’m speaking of those things of which the Scriptures clearly speak.  What’s it take to be born again?  What’s it mean to be a Christian?  Where do we turn for guidance and direction?  Who is Jesus?  What is marriage?  Why live righteous and pure lives?  And many, many more.

These questions, and many others, are clearly answered in Scripture.  Yet, we find more and more rejecting biblical revelation in favor of their own misguided beliefs.  May God forgive us and help us.  May we return to Him, and to the revelation He has given through Christ and His Word.  May we not abandon that which is essential, in order to turn to that which is inspired by the deceiver (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:3-4).  May we stayed anchored and obedient to God and His Word.

Is The Future Now?

A casual reader of biblical prophecy must come to grips with a simple observation.  America is seemingly absent from the discussion.  That’s shocking to us who live here.  We tend to think we are the center of all that is.  We wonder how we could be left out of the discussion in favor of small countries nestled in the mid-east somewhere.

The times in which we live present an interesting question.  Is this the era that sees the United States step off of the world stage?  In recent times, we have seen a staggering collapse of our economy.  As a matter of fact, the case could be made that we have sold our economic souls to oil producing nations and to China.  In addition, we have seen a huge expansion in the power and reach of the federal government.  More and more freedoms seem to disappear every day.  Larger and larger segments of the society seem to fall under government control with each news cycle.  The politicians we elect seem determined to rush headfirst into disaster, while we simply look the other way and cry give us more. 

It’s easy to join the chorus of those that say the sky is falling.  The patriot/nationalist in me hopes that this is not the case.  I gripe and complain about all the stuff going on too (if you don’t believe me, click on the politics tag).  The Christ-follower in me, however, knows that God’s plan will unfold in His time and in His manner.  And I know, that I have to trust completely in Him.  Ultimately, we need to understand that our hope and confidence lies not in the halls of power, but in the hands of God.  The psalimst says, “God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne” (Psalm 47:8, ESV).  God rules the nations.  That includes ours.  While I know that God is sovereign, my hope and prayer is that God will grant us a great spiritual awakening of epic proportions.  I pray that the hearts of people will turn from trusting in the powerful, and will turn in repentance towards God (Psalm 20:7).  May God once again shed His grace on us.

Trial Runs with Bible Translations

Over the years, I have used several different Bibles.  Like many Christians, my first Bible was a King James Version.  I used it and a New International Version for years.  When I began pastoring, I preached out of the King James.  I then moved to the New King James (didn’t really click for me) and then to the NIV.  I usually used the New American Standard to teach Bible studies.  Over time, I completely switched to the NASB, and I have used it for several years.  About six or seven months ago, I was asked to lead a Bible study in another venue.  I thought it would be a good time to check out a few different translations as teaching Bibles.  I purchased a New Living Translation and I really liked the way it read, but I wasn’t sure I was comfortable teaching extensively from it.  I have used it several times for lengthy readings. 

While I was researching the NLT, I read many positive reviews of the English Standard Version.  So, a few months ago, I switched from my NASB, and began preaching and teaching out of the ESV on a trial basis.  At times, I really like it.  At other times, it makes me scratch my head.  I am getting ready to begin a trial run teaching from the Holman Christian Standard Bible.  Like the ESV, I really like parts of the HCSB.  I think the HCSB does a great job of being readable while maintaining some important concepts (like translating “doulos” as “slave” and “hilasmos” as ”propitiation” - you can read my opinion on these here and here).  Time will tell whether or not I stick with it, the ESV, or completely return to the NASB.